Arayat

July 15, 2022

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The Municipality of Arayat is a 1^st class municipality located in the province of Pampanga.

The Municipality of Arayat is surrounded by the town of Mexico, Magalang, Santa Ana, Candaba, and Cabiao in Nueva Ecija. A large area of Mount Arayat is situated within Arayat.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arayat,_Pampanga

History

The Municipality of Arayat is situated at the bottom of Mount Arayat which is believed to be the home of an enchanting fairy popular known as “Maria Sinukwan,” who, according to some of the narratives from a myth Maria Sinukwan is a protector of the famous mountain’s wildlife and plants.

Even before the colonization of the Spaniards, the municipality of Arayat is widely known as “Balayan ning Pambuit,” a primeval settlement that was formerly situated at Barangay Panlinglang (the present-day Poblacion that used to be a jungle occupied by the indigenous Aetas. Later on, the town was given a new name “Dayat,” which means irrigated farmlands. While the famous Mount Arayat was first well known as “Bundok ning Alaya,” which means Eastern Mountain.

During the year 1571, The municipality of Arayat was recognized as one of the most advancing settlements in Pampanga and used to be a Spanish military fortress in the year 1600.

Barangay

The Municipality of Arayat is politically subdivided into 30 barangays.

Arenas	Baliti	Batasan	Buensuceso	Candating
Gatiawin	Guemasan	La Paz (Turu)	Lacmit	Lacquios
Mangga-Cacutud	Mapalad	Palinlang	Paralaya	Plazang Luma
Poblacion	San Agustin Norte	San Agustin Sur	San Antonio	San Jose Mesulo
San Juan Bano	San Mateo	San Nicolas	San Roque Bitas	Cupang (Santa Lucia)
Matamo (Santa Lucia)	Santo Niño Tabuan	Suclayin	Telapayong	Kaledian (Camba)

Festivals

Town Fiesta

The town fiesta is a celebration honoring the sainthood of Saint. Catherine de Alexandria on November 25.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=107491977882500&set=pcb.107492031215828

Mangga Festival

The municipality of Arayat is abundant with Mango fruits and it’s very evident. One of the main food harvests in Arayat is mango. According to some rumors, each barangay in Arayat has hectares of plantation of mangoes. They came up with this festivity to support their local fruit, and the owners, and here the Mangga Festival was created.

Landmark and Attraction

Mt. Arayat

Mount Arayat is a famous attraction located in Arayat, Pampanga. The mystical mountain is famous because it is believed that there’s a fairy settling and protecting the mountain against the bad forces named Aring Sinucuan/Sinkuan/Sucu or widely known in the mythology as “Mariang Sinukuan.”

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fmtabora/6787318799

Mount Arayat National Park

Mount Arayat National Park, is a well-known tourist spot in the province, is set at the foothills of Mt. Arayat at Barangay San Juan Baño, it is a nature and water park that has 4 swimming pools and more than a few villas for tourist accommodations. The structure of Mount Arayat National Park was proposed by the Former President of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon started in the year 1933. It’s considered one of the oldest parks built in the Philippines.

Source: https://www.pinned.ph/why-arayat-national-park-in-pampanga-is-worth-visiting/

Santa Catalina Parish Church

The original structure of the Santa Catalina Parish Church or locally referred to as the “Arayat Church,” was built in 1753. The Church has undergone several revisions including the interiors and restoration starting from 1859 and to be completed by 1982.

Historical Landmark

Bahay Antigo

Bahay Antigo is widely known as Samia House which was built in 1895, is considered historical, and was the dwelling place of Atty. Mariano Samia in Arayat during the colonial time of the Spaniards.

Source: http://heritageispeople.blogspot.com/2015/02/10-things-you-need-to-know-about.html

Gen. Jose Alejandrino’s Monument

The shrine of Gen. Jose Alejandrino, Apalit’s town hero and Former Pampanga Governor, and Senator, one of the contributors to La Solidaridad and associate of the propaganda movement of the Philippine’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, can be sighted in front of the town municipal hall as a tourist spot and was made honoring his bravery.